Counter



Oct. 26, 1937. A. HoLzNER 2,097,065

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COUNTER Filed Sept. 25, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUNTER Adolf Holzner, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application September 25, 1933, Serial No. 890,811

1 Claim. (Cl. 235-117) The purpose of this invention is to provide in a device including a total and a separate score counter having their operating means in common, and including a resetting mechanism of the 5 separate score counter to zero without disturbing the score in the total score counter, and vice versa, a means for operating the total score counter alone for subtraction, while the separate score counter remains stationary.

With these ends in view, my invention relates to counters as they are for instance described in my patent application Serial No. 554,475 tiled August,1, 1931 and in my co-pending patent application Serial No. 142,975 led May 17, 1937,

of which I desire hereby to give notice, and which is a continuation in part of my present application.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a combination of oppositely disposed counters in which the shaft requiring means for returning the number wheels of one counter into their zero position, is simultaneously also used for the operation of the number wheels of the oppositely disposed counter, while the mechanism for the returning of the number wheels into their zero position is arranged on the outside of all number wheels.

It is the general object of my invention to arrange two oppositely disposed counters fortwo players, whereby each player will be able to keep score in a total and a separate score counter with operating means in common, and whereby the two total and the two separate score counters can be reset to zero independently of one an- 55 other. It is well known that by the operation ot a total and separate score counter a score will be set in both counters, and the separate score counter must allow the resetting of the score displayed in said counter without disturbing the total score.

It is, however, the principal purpose of this invention to provide a means so that the total score counter alone can be operated for subtraction while the separate score counter remains stationary and the resetting of the separate score counter can be effected without disturbance for the score in the total score counter.

It will be understood that the counter by the co-operation of the individual mechanisms can conveniently be used for keeping score in a pocket-bllliard game, as it facilitates the score keeping of the total and separate score because it does away with the dilculties inherent to the subtraction operation of a ball in default from the total score by means of rings suspended from a wire which often creates confusion among the players.-

If desired, the counter can be countersunk in the billiard table, or preferably be placed upon 5 a post or stand or hung to a wall, to allow a perfect survey of the game, as it creates great interest in the game with the players as well as with the onlookers because they will be able to ascertain at one glance the state and progress 10 of the game, as instantaneously a comparison can be made between the status of the first and second player by momentarily inspecting their total scores.

By the arrangement of a left hand and the 15 right hand counters in one casing adapted to be operated by a common centrally located toothed disc, the right hand counters could for instance be used to keep the score made in one day and which can be returned to zero at the close oi.' 20 the day, while the left hand counter is used to count the sum of scores made on the individual days of an entire week.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure: 25

Fig. 1 illustrates in front elevation a counter constructed according to my invention after removal of its cover plate and in the zero position of the counting or numeral wheels (i. e. before the start of the counting operation).

Fig. 1a illustrates the operation of the counter mechanism of Figure 1 during the setting back position of the numeral wheels to zero position.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the counter seen in the direction of arrow 2 of Figure 1. 35

Fig. 2a is a view similar to Figure 2 seen in the direction of arrow 2a of Figure la.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 seen in the direction of arrow 3 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3a is a view similar to Figure 2a seen in 40 the direction of arrow 3a of Figure 1a.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 seen in the direction of arrow 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4a is a view similar to Figure 2a seen in 45 the direction of arrow la of Figure 1a.

Fig. 5 illustrates in sectional detail View the mounting and arrangement of the number wheels upon their shaft.

Fig. 6 is a cross section in the direction of arrow 50 6, Figure 5.

Fig. 7 illustrates a counter constructed according to my invention in front elevation adapted to be countersunk into a depression of a billiard table.

Fig. 8 is an end view thereof seen in the direction of arrow 8 of Figure 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section'seen in the direction of arrow 9 of Figure '1.

As illustrated for the better understanding of my invention the parts of my counter are designated as follows:

'I'he transmission shafts are designated c and c2 and carry respectively the wheels 22 (having 6 teeth) and thel bushings 23 which are arranged between, each two gears in order to keep distance between wheels 22.

The slides are designated 9, l0, II and I2 and the springs I, 2, 3 and 4.

The shaft carrying the cams and the gap gears is designated A and the gap gears on this shaft returning ,the parts to zero position are designated I6 and have as shown in Figure 3, six teeth. and two gaps at opposite points. The gap wheels on the shafts B and B2 belonging to the number wheels are designated 2| and have 9 teeth and one gap.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 2a, the rotation of shaft A"wil1 press cams and I8 upon the slides, cam I1 upon slides 9 and I0 (Fig. 1) and cam I8 'upon slides II and I2 (Figs. 2 and 2a).

. By these operations the slides will displace the shafts c and c2 (Fig. 4a) upon which the gears 22 areloosely arranged and uncouple thereby all gears I9 at the number wheels, as the slides are mounted at the ends to spindles or shafts c, c3.

In order to enable this displacement, the slides have each a longitudinal slot 26, theslots within the casing for the shaft c are designated 5 and 8 and for the shaft c2, 6 and 1 respectively.

Springs I, 2, 3 and 4 serve the purpose to' return the slides into their notches, in the cams. Cam |8 has two notches |8a and |85 (Fig. 2) cam I1 has also two notches.

As shown in the sectional views in Figures 2, 3 and 4, taken on lines 22, 3 3, and 4-4 on Figure 1 respectively, the number drums or wheels are in their zero position in which the gaps of gears 2lb are in a position exactly in alignment with the center portion of shaft A. If, however, the number wheels are turned in either direction from the zero position to display any other number thanzero, the gaps of gears 2lb will also take up another position relatively to shaft A and a tooth of said gears will now be oppositely disposed to the gaps in.

wheel I6.

If now shaft A is rotated, the teeth of gear I6, will mesh with the respective tooth of gears 2| b.

In order to bring gears 2Ib to a position in which their number wheels show a number which is as far as possible remote from zero, it will be necessary to impart to gear I6 one and a half rotations, consequently it will be apparent that if the number drum is turned to a number next to zero, gears 2lb will rotate the same to zero within an adequate revolution of shaft A.

During the rotation of the number wheels to zero, gears I9 will participate in their rotation, until shaft A and gear I6 take up the position shown in Figure 3a; The teeth of gears I9 are so arranged as to be in alignment-with the interstices between the teeth of gears 2lb, consequently at any movement of gears 2lb bringing one of their teeth in alignment with the center line of the shafts, an interstice of gear I9 will also be in alignment with the center line of the shafts, and consequently when anl lnterstice of gear 2 Ib is in line with the shaft, a tooth of gear I9 will also be in this alignment.

Figure 3 shows gears 2lb zeroized, and it will be clear that in any other position of the number wheels of the counter showing or displaying any other number than 0, the gaps 25 of gear 2lb will have assumed different positions than that shown in Figure 3, as for instance shown in Figure 3a and one tooth of gear 2lb will appear in alignment with the center line of the shaft A. Consequently if now the shaft A (Fig. 3) is turned for an adequate amount, preferably 30, it will bring one tooth of gear I6 in engagement with one tooth of the gear 2lb. The cams I1, I8 are so selected that they displace the slides during the rotation of the shaft A for 30 so far that the gears 22 on shafts c and cil which are located within the slides, are disengaged from the gear I9 during this time and no jamming in the machine will be caused. It will further be clear that a gear having a number of teeth not divisible by four cannot, if one gap lof gear' I9 is in alignment with the center line of the shafts, after an adequate revolution, for instance a quarter revolution, again engage a gap of gear I9 but Will engageone tooth, as shown in Figure 4a.

This is not the case after the shaft A has made one half revolution as then the cams I8 have turned toassume the position shown in Figure 2 and the wheels I9 assume the position in Figure 4 and can be coupled.

'I'he springs R engaging the gap Wheels 2|, two springs for each gap wheel, (Figs. 3vand 3a) serve the purpose of preserving the alignment in order to keep the numbers on the number wheels in a perfect row.

While these springs are shown only in Figures 3 and 3a, it is clear that they. are also present in the counters shown in Figures 1 and 1a and are omitted from the drawings only for the when no further rotation of wheels 2|'will take place (Fig. 3) and the number wheels arrive at zero position after one and one-half revolutions of the shaft A from the position farthest possible from zero.

In order to space the wheels 2| on shafts B and Bz from the wheels I6 so that they may pass the same (during the counting operation) from both halves of the Wheels I6 teeth are removed to create gaps Ilia, I 6b.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the arrangement of the number wheels upon the shaft or spindle Bz each number wheel having a bushing telescoping into the adjoining bushing, While number wheel b is secured to spindle B2, and then the number wheel c with its bushing is loosely brought upon shaft B2, whereupon the number Wheel d with its bushing is brought upon the bushing of wheel c and thennumbenwheel e 'I'he number wheel a. is secured to bushing 24 together with gear 2in, and the bushing is loosely brought upon the shaft Bz. The operating knob i4 is secured to bushing 24 at the outer end of the casing.

, Figure 4 shows the counter during the counting operation, and Figure 4a shows the counter during the zero resetting operation.

Each number wheel is equipped with a wheel 2l having one tooth, with the exception of the last number wheel e. In the same way each number wheel is also equipped with a wheel i9 having ten teeth, with the exception of the ilrst number wheel a.

If the number wheel a is turned in the direction in which the numeral 1 follows upon 0, the single tooth on wheel 20 is disengaged from wheel 22. If now the turning of the number wheel a is continued, until the numeral 9 appears, the single tooth of wheel 28 will in this moment assume a position in front of a tooth of wheel 22. If now the turning of the number wheel a is proceeded with, so that the appears on wheel a and on number wheel b appears the number l thus the counter shows number 10.

This result is obtained because the tooth of wheel 20 is coupled with the wheel 22 and because wheel l22 is coupled to wheel i 9 of the number wheel b the latter must also turn, and in this manner the transmission from one number wheel to the other is effected.

It will be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the specific construction shown and described, and that I may arrange the gap wheels and the cams in a counter within its casing in any suitable manner coming within the scope of the appended claim.

I may thus for instance use gap wheels having gaps at both of their halves and cams having notches at both of their halves, which I for instance use if a plurality of counters is used in one casing. With such construction I obtain the advantage of requiring 11/2 revolutions only in order to return the number wheels into their zero position.

In Figures 'l to 9 I have-shown a special construction of counter adapted to be countersunk into a depression of a pool table to keep a convenient count of the score of two pool players the counting mechanism of which is substantially the same as described above, the diierence residing in the manner of coupling the same.

The housing of the counting mechanism according to this form of my invention is attached to a bi-partite front plate 52 which carries at its front a console or bracket 58 presenting a depression through which the wheel 43 projects with its teeth allowing the start of the counting operation by pressing one of its teeth downwards, Plates 5|, 52 are wider than the casing for the counter as shown in Figures 8 and 9 so as to support the same as at 53 when the housing is countersunk into the depression of the pool table, and 54 designates the base plate of the counter, and this plate 54 appears in the space between plates 5i, 52.

In Figure 7, counters B and Bz and theirmechanism are the same as illustrated in Figures l to 6.

This is good also for counters B5 and Bs having however three number wheels only and the first number wheel a is secured to the shaft as for instance number wheel b, Figure 5.

The left hand upper counter B is coupled with the right hand counter Bs and the left hand lower i counter B: is coupled with the right hand counter Bn.

The bushing 24 upon the shaft of counter Bz with which the counting operation starts, the same as in Figure 1, is secured to a wheel 31. This wheel 31 has ten inclined teeth 42, and so has wheel 38 on the shaft of counter B5 and both wheels are coupled, so that upon starting the counting operation by the downward rotation of wheel 43 attached to wheel 31,.,bushing 24 on the shaft of counter Bz, and the shaft counter Bs will be rotated to operate both counters.

If however the wheel 43 is rotated in the opposite direction or towards above in counter Bz a subtraction is effected, while counter Bs will remain at rest. The explanation for these operations is as follows:

During the'upwardiy directed rotation of wheel 43 the wheel 31 will thrust ofi.' wheel 38. This is possible because coupling member 31 is Secured to the bushing 24 of the left hand counter Bz, and

\ccupling member 38 is dlsplaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of shaft of counter B5. Coupling member 38 is provided with a groove 39 engaged by a pin 48 secured to shaft of counter B5, while a spring 4i pressed against coupling member 38 so as to couple members 31 and 38 during the counting operation while they are separated during the subtraction operation.

A ratchet 45 and its spring 49 at the end of the shaft of counter B5 permits the rotation thereof in one direction only (towards below), so that during the rotation of wheel 43 in upward direction, the wheel 38 is thrust oiI by wheel 31 for one tooth and the spring 4i will return wheel 38 into engagement with wheel 31 and both wheels are coupled.

Wheel 31 upon its downwardly directed rotation takes along wheel'38. Upon the upwardly directed rotation of wheel 31 it will thrust oil' wheel 38 as ratchet 45 does not permit a rotation of shaft Bs, the same will remain idle while during each thrust oil. movement of wheel 38 the same will slide along on pin 40 in groove 33.

The plates of the counter are secured to the pool table into a depression of which the entire mechanism is countersunk, by means of the screws 55, and it will be necessary to provide a mechanism for returning the counter into zero position outside of the counter, and for this purpose I provide the depression 58 (Fig. 7). Into this depression projects the end of the zero shaft A and carries there a bevel gear 43 having 6 teeth, which meshes with a bevel gear 41 (with 12 teeth, of which three teeth are broken away, as indicated at 41a) having thus 9 teeth.

The bevel gear 41 is secured to a shaft 48 extending through the housing to the outside and is provided with a square boss for engagement by a suitable key for its operation.

If now the bevel gear 41 is rotated once, both counters Ba and B5 are returned to zero position, as the bevel gear 46 on shaft A must execute one and one-half rotations to return the parts into zero position, this will be efi'ectedfduring one rotation of the bevel gear 41 as the gear 43 has 6 and the gear 41 nine teeth.

The rotation is effected as far as it is permitted bythe ratchet gears 45. Gear 41 must be turned towards the left and the shaft A will be turned towards the right, and both shafts of the counters B5, Bc are rotating towards the left and wheel 38 is thrust oil from wheel 31, and spring 44 will prevent the wheel 43 from turning and thus during the turning of the two right hand counters Bs, Bs no operation of the two left hand counters B, Bz will be effected, which count the total of the score of both players. It will be clear that care must be taken to submit spring 4I to a pressure just sulcient to permit coupling member 31 to take along coupling member 38.

Therefore the strength of spring 44 must be so selected as to develop twice as much force of resistance as spring 4| in order to prevent the operation of the two left hand counters during the turning of the two right hand counters B5 and Ba into the zero position when coupling member 38 thrusts ofi. member 31 and spring 44 which has the same size as the width of wheel 43 prevents the rotation of the same.

Therefore, if it is desired that during the returning of the two left hand counters into the zero position no operation of the two right hand counters be effected, the'shaft A (Fig. 1) must be so rotated that the wheels 3l thrust off the wheels 38, which means that the shaft A in counter B, B2 (Fig. 1) must be turned towards below, as indicated in Figure 7, however shaft A in counters B5, Bs (Figs. 7, 8) must be turned towards above.

In order to make the operation of my counter clear, I will herebelow explain by examples the method of operating the same in practice.

If for instance two players agree to play a game for a total score of balls, the upper left hand counter B counts the tot-al sum of the balls detailed to one of the players while the lower counter Bz ,those for the other player.

Both counters B and B2 are only once returning to zero position i. e. after the game is finished and a new game starts.

However the two right hand counters are oftener returned to zero position dun'ng the play (after all balls upon the pool table have been shot).

I'he player whose score is counted by the upper two counters is designated the first and the player whose score is counted by the lower two counters is designated the second.

the following numbers appear: -B 00003-B6 003.

If now the second player shoots 8 balls off the table, and while shooting at the ninth ball,` he hits the predetermined ball, but his white or play-ball runs into one of the pockets of the table a ball must be subtracted from his total in the left hand counter Bz, and the player counts the balls he made by the operation of the lower wheel 43 turning this wheel eight times towards below, so that in the right hand counter Bs and in the left hand counter Bz the number 8 appears and the counters will show the following results:

This player however must now deduct one ball by turning the wheel 43 one step upwardly and thus the left hand counter B2 will show 7 and the right hand counter 8. Thus: B 00003-Ba 003-Bz 00007-B5 008.

Now the rst player will start playing again,

and for instance shoots three balls s o that only one other ball remains upon the table to be shot at besides the white ball. v

It is the rule of this game that 15 balls are placed upon the table and are all to be played off with the exception oi' one single ball. This ball remains in its place vand the other balls which have been shot at are placed again upon the table in a triangular frame.

The first player now counts -his three balls by means of the upper wheel 43 and in the left hand counter B and in the right hand counter Bs the number 6 will appear, thus B 000s-Be 006 Ba 0007-Bs 008.

If now all balls have'been shot'from the table except -the remaining single ball, the two right hand counters Bs and B5 are returned to zero position and the counters will indicate the i'ollowing: B 0006-Be OOO- B2 00007-B5 000.

'Ihe rst player is now entitled to proceed with shooting upon the newly aligned balls, he shoots seven balls ou the table and while shooting at the eighth ball he misses the predetermined ball, which requires a subtraction from his total, so

that he must now count seven balls only by turning the wheel 43 seven times towards below and then turns the wheel 43 once towards above.

'Ihus the left hand counter B shows the number 13 and the right hand counter Bs the number 7, thus: B 00013-Be 007-B2 0007--Bs 000.

If-now the wheel 43 is turned towards above, the left hand counter B will display the number l2 and the right hand counter Bs the number 7, thus: B 0012-Bs 007-B2 00007--B5 000.

The second player now shoots four balls oil? the table and misses the next one, this player must therefore turn the wheel 43 four times towards below and in the left hand counter B2 the number 11 will appear and in the-right hand counter Bs the number' 4, thus: B 00012-Bs 007--Bi1v 00011f-B5 004 and the play is now continued until in one counter of the two left hand counters B, B2 the number 50 appears and this player will have then won the game.

It will be understood that I have described and shown the preferred forms of my counters as some examples only of the many possible ways tovpracticallyconstruct my invention, and that I may make such changes in the general arrangement -of the counters, and the construction -of their minor details as come within the scope of the appended claim without departure from the spirit of my invention and the principles involved.

Having thus described my invention,r what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In4 a mechanism as described, including, a total score counter, and a "separate score counter, an operating wheel between, the two counters to be rotated in one direction for adding the score in both counters, a coupling insaid operating wheel, composed of two members, the rst coupling member secured to said operating wheel and rmly and operatively connected to the total score counter, and the second couplingmember grooved and displaceable in longitudinal direction upon the spindle of the separate score. counter, a pin secured to said spindle, the grooved member of the second coupling member guided on said pin, a ratchet wheel upon the spindle of the second coupling member to permit the rotation of said spindle in one direction only, and a coil spring upon the second coupling member to return both coupling members into their coupling position after each separation of said coupling member by the operation of said operating wheel to substract in the counter of the total score by rotating the operating wheel in a direction opposite to its direction of rotation for adding the score, the separate score counter then remaining stationary.

ADOLF HOLZNER. 

